Royals win Game One
October 28, 2015
The Kansas City Royals made the perfect start to baseball's World Series, beating the New York Mets 5-4 in 14 innings to take the first game of the series.
The Royals won the World Series in 1985, but suffered heartbreak last season, losing to 4-3 in the best-of-seven Series to the San Francisco Giants. The good news for the Royals is that 16 of the last 18 champions have won the first encounter.
Alex Gordon's home run off Mets closer Jeurys Familia in the ninth inning tied things up at 4-4 - the latest homer in the Series since 2001 and the longest Game 1 home run in history. Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly in the 14th to score Alcides Escobar and secure the early advantage for the Royals. "That's the beauty of this game. You always have a chance to redeem yourself," said match-winner Hosmer.
"What a great game," said the Royals' Chris Young post-match. "The Mets are a tough team. We've got our work cut out for us, but tonight was huge. Home run by Alex Gordon, and then the character, the fight, to find a way to win late, that's a great team effort."
The Royals will be keen to build on their early lead when they meet the Mets in Kansas City on Wednesday. Eight of the last 10 sides to win Game 1 have also gone on to win the second. Mets' Jacob deGrom and Johnny Cueto of the Royals will take to the mound in game two.